As the holiday season kicks into high gear, Canadian retailers are feeling an unusual sense of dread. The festive rush, typically marked by bustling malls and eager shoppers, is now shadowed by a troubling surge in theft—one that’s putting store owners, employees, and even customers on edge. According to a recent report by the Retail Council of Canada (RCC), losses from retail theft have nearly doubled over the past several years, painting a stark picture of the challenges facing the industry as 2025 draws to a close.
Rui Rodrigues, the executive advisor for loss prevention and risk management at the RCC, shared the council’s latest findings with 1130 NewsRadio Vancouver. “We released a retail crime report for 2024 — that would be information collected from the previous year. So, when we look at total losses for Canada, based on the respondents from the survey, we see losses now being reported at $9.1 billion, versus the last time we did a survey similar to it, which would have been 2018 and at that point, the cumulative loss was $5 billion. You can see the losses have almost doubled,” Rodrigues explained. The survey, which tapped into the experiences of nearly 20,000 retailers nationwide, offers a sobering snapshot of the situation on the ground.
But it’s not just the sheer volume of theft that’s causing alarm. The nature of these incidents has changed, too. Rodrigues noted, “Thefts have grown, of course, but businesses that are tracking it are reporting to us the number of incidents where violence is involved is now 300 per cent what it used to be.” That means more cases now involve assault or even theft with a weapon—an escalation that’s left frontline staff not just wary, but sometimes physically harmed. “That brings forward a much greater safety concern for employees, customers, and security officers working in the retail environment,” Rodrigues emphasized.
Unlike years past, today’s thieves aren’t just targeting high-end boutiques or luxury goods. The trend, according to the RCC, is “across the board.” Big-box retailers—think Walmart and similar chains that stock everything from groceries to pharmaceuticals and apparel—are especially vulnerable. Their vast inventories and open layouts make them attractive to those hoping to make off with large hauls in little time. But smaller stores aren’t immune, either. “There are no businesses that are immune from theft and violence,” Rodrigues said.
In Canada’s major urban centers, the situation is further complicated by social factors. Marginalized individuals, often grappling with mental health challenges, drug addiction, or homelessness, are responsible for a greater proportion of theft. Sometimes, these incidents turn violent, especially if the individuals involved are under the influence of drugs. Yet, as Rodrigues pointed out, the picture isn’t so simple. “Organized criminals are now preying upon those individuals,” he explained, suggesting that vulnerable people are sometimes manipulated or coerced into committing crimes on behalf of more sophisticated networks.
The response from retailers has been swift, if not always effective. Many have ramped up security measures—hiring more guards, installing turnstiles, and beefing up entrances and exits in an effort to deter would-be thieves. “Having good evidence so when [theft] does happen, they can supply that to police so they can actually get an idea of the individual — which is very helpful,” Rodrigues said. Shoppers may have noticed this increased security presence, especially during the holiday rush when foot traffic is at its peak. But as Rodrigues warned, “It’s supply and demand. As traffic goes up, security goes up too.” Maintaining such a high level of vigilance year-round, however, is both logistically and financially unsustainable for most businesses.
Some retailers are taking matters into their own hands, but many are also calling for systemic change. There’s growing frustration with what’s perceived as a “revolving door” in the justice system, where chronic offenders are arrested only to be released and reoffend while awaiting court dates. Rodrigues didn’t mince words: “They’ve become so brazen that they understand there are no consequences to their actions, and that’s something that absolutely needs to change.” He’s urging judges to take a tougher stance on repeat offenders, noting that new collaborations between retailers and police are helping prosecutors see the full extent of an individual’s criminal activity—rather than dismissing cases as minor, isolated incidents.
Yet, even with these efforts, many feel that Canada still has a long road ahead in tackling retail theft. The numbers speak for themselves. According to Statistics Canada, police reported 182,361 incidents of shoplifting under $5,000 in 2024—a 14 percent increase from 2023. That’s about 442 incidents per 100,000 people. More worryingly, the rate of shoplifting has climbed for four consecutive years and has soared by 66 percent over the past decade. These aren’t just abstract statistics; they translate into real-world consequences for businesses large and small, from lost revenue to higher insurance premiums and, in some cases, store closures.
Meanwhile, the issue of theft is hardly confined to Canada. In Saline County, Arkansas, the MySaline.com website’s mugshot section has become one of its most visited features. The site regularly posts booking photos of individuals recently processed at the Saline County Detention Center, including those charged with theft. On November 28, 2025, Brian Earl was booked on a charge of theft of property. The site is careful to note, however, that “having a mugshot does not equate with being guilty of a crime.” Some faces, it points out, appear frequently—not always due to new charges, but because probationers must check in regularly.
Jessica Huffman was also booked on November 28, 2025, on a charge of domestic battering in the first degree, a Class B felony. The mugshots feature is updated regularly and draws significant public interest, reflecting both the community’s concern about crime and the ongoing debate over the presumption of innocence. For those released from custody, such as Angel Monserrate, Serafin Martinez Nieto, Corey Curtiss, Devaunte Lee, Bradley Murrell, Alexus Burnett, and John Walker, the online archive serves as a record of recent law enforcement activity.
While the Canadian and Arkansas stories unfold in different contexts, they share a common thread: the challenge of balancing public safety, justice, and compassion in the face of rising crime. In both cases, the visibility of criminal activity—whether through statistics or mugshots—fuels public debate and shapes perceptions of safety and accountability. As retailers, law enforcement, and communities grapple with these issues, one thing is clear: the solutions will require not only tougher enforcement but also a deeper understanding of the social and economic forces at play.
As holiday shoppers fill stores in the coming weeks, the hope is that increased vigilance and community awareness will help keep both merchandise and people safe, even as the broader conversation around crime and justice continues to evolve.
